FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6675

                                   C 43 L 88

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Stratton, Bailey and Wojahn; by request of Governor

Modifying provisions relating to the family independence program.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

House Committe on Human Services

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Family Independence Program (FIP) is a welfare reform proposal which passed the Legislature in concept in 1987.  Jointly administered by the Department of Social and Health Services and the Employment Security Department, the program combines incentive payments, child care services and employment and training components to assist Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients in achieving self-sufficiency.  

Under terms of the 1987 legislation, the governor was authorized to seek congressional waivers of certain federal laws, which vary from the FIP administration plan.  Those waivers were granted by Congress in 1987, and the governor and FIP executive committee members are now negotiating the federal-state contracts.

The Children & Family Services Committee has reviewed all of the agency reports required in the 1987 act, except the evaluation plan, which is being completed under the supervision of the Legislative Budget Committee.

The statute requires final approval by the 1988 Legislature so that the governor is authorized to sign the federal-state contracts.

SUMMARY:

The Family Independence Program (FIP) is approved and the governor is authorized to sign and complete all necessary agreements with the federal government provided that they are consistent with the 1987 act.  The intent section of the family independence statute is modified to include the goal of reducing caseloads on a long-term basis.  Intent language is added to encourage the FIP executive committee to contract with community-based organizations.  Evaluation plan requirements are modified to no longer require evaluation of the impact of FIP on general labor market opportunities.  The evaluation plan must be approved by the Legislative Budget Committee.

The section related to AFDC recipient and former recipient members of the FIP advisory committee, the executive committee and the family opportunity councils is expanded to allow reimbursement for child care to enable those persons to attend meetings.

The department is authorized to provide grants to family opportunity councils to support their activities and to assist in the recruitment of volunteer mentors.

The expiration date of the chapter is extended from 1989 to 1993.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    48     0

      House 95   3 (House amended)

      Senate            (Senate refused to concur)

      House 93   3 (House receded in part)

      Senate    47     0(Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:March 15, 1988